If you’ve ever thought you don’t need toner because you’re not dealing with breakouts or have stopped using it when you were 16, you’re not alone. But there’s a lot more to toner (and facial mists) than you may think. Far from the harsh alcohol-infused liquids of yesterday, today’s toners are still powerful, but they’re also very gentle and safe to use, even on sensitive skin. Now that we’ve piqued your interest, let’s take a closer look at what this elusive skincare product actually does.
What is toner?
You may be wondering what toner is, and why you should use it. In a nutshell, it’s a light liquid you apply to your face. Aside from that cool, refreshing feeling you get when you spritz your face with toner, it actually has multiple uses depending on its ingredients.
Back in the day, toners were usually expected to be serious, blemish-fighting concoctions often referred to as astringents. They contained ingredients like alcohol and benzoyl peroxide, which can irritate sensitive skin. Thankfully, toner has come a long way since then. Sure, you can still get one with acne-fighting ingredients in it, but now you have a variety of skin-friendly options.
Now that you know there’s nothing to fear in today’s toners, let’s take a closer look at what it can do for you.
What are the benefits of toner?
The toners of today have multiple benefits. Here are a few things they can do for your skin.
- Cleansing
Toner makes the perfect, gentle skin cleanser to help wipe away dirt, oil, make-up and other impurities that can clog pores and dull your complexion. Here’s to clearer skin!
- Hydrating
Traditional, soap-based facial cleansers can strip the natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry and itchy. Toner can help restore moisture to your skin and keep it from feeling and looking dry.
- Restoring balance
Cleansers can disrupt the skin’s acid mantle which is composed of oils and perspiration. This, in turn, disturbs the skin’s natural pH balance. Toner can help bring that balance back.
- Minimizing pores
Have you ever noticed how your skin looks extra smooth and clear when your pores appear to be contracted? Some toners contain ingredients to help minimize the visibility of pores.
- Protection
Protective ingredients can help fend off damage caused by UV radiation and keep your skin looking beautifully healthy.
- Preparing skin for other products
Toner can help you get the most out of your other favorite skincare products by allowing them to absorb more effectively.
- Controlling shine
Applying toner with a cotton ball can help mop up excess oils and keep you glowing without looking like an oil slick.
- Reducing the appearance of breakouts
If you’re prone to the occasional acne breakout, you can find a toner that contains gentle ingredients to help keep pimples at bay.
Now that you know what it is and what it can do for you, you may be wondering how you should use it.
How do you use a toner?
There are several ways to apply toner. Toner can be spritzed over your face after you clean your skin, or you can apply it with a cotton ball. You can also put some toner in your palms, rub them together and apply it directly to your face by pressing into the skin.
Toner can be used morning, evening and even during a hectic day to revitalize and revive your skin. Another nice thing about toner is that you can take it with you anywhere and use it as a quick and cool skin refresher any time of day. Unlike typical cleansers, toner does not need to be rinsed off with water after using. A very special treat on one of those hot, sweaty afternoons of running errands!
You can also use a bit of toner before applying your other skincare products like serums or moisturizers. It leaves your skin dewy and damp. The added moisture increases the skin’s permeability. This allows your skin to absorb serums and moisturizers more effectively.
If you’re wondering where to find some of these great, new toners, look no further. Here are some of our faves picked out just for you.
Toners worth checking out:
Cucumber and Ginseng Facial Mist
Spritz your face with this refreshing toner that soothes irritated skin with ginseng and aloe vera extracts. So, whether your skin is irritated from a blemish breakout or just needs some extra TLC, this toner will bring your skin some quick, soothing relief.
This cooling toner mist will gently remove dirt, oil, and makeup to reveal brighter-looking skin and will help protect it, too. It contains vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin from free radical damage. (Free radicals are unstable molecules that can form when the skin undergoes oxidative stress from UV radiation.)
Bulgarian Rose Phytonutrient Elixir
Give your skin a sweet drink with this plant-based toner containing oat extract to help restore its moisture and give it back that dewy glow. This toner also boasts a bit of skin-rejuvenating vitamin A from its carrot peptides.
We hope this helps demystify toner for you. So, are you ready to take the plunge? Go ahead. Treat yourself and see what your toner can do for you!
